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Mama Don't Take No Mess: Classic Maternal Moments In Sports

On Friday, Tiger Woods reinforced a point that we're all familiar with: if there's anyone that will have your back despite all the bullshit you've gotten into, it's your mom. As Tiger ended his "press conference," he pulled the ultimate sympathy card next to crying, by embracing his mother, Kultida Woods.

Tiger's move got us to thinking of other examples where moms of pro-athletes have lived up to that "ride or die" attribute of being a mother. Whether it's jumping into the ring to help you out when your ass is getting beat, or cussing out opposing fans for talking shit, they're always there. So let's look back on some memorable mom moments in sports history...

MINNA WILSONMOM OF: Boxer Tony WilsonDATE: September 9, 1989 during light-heavyweight boxing matchMOMENT: After her son was getting his ass kicked, Minna stepped in with her shoe in hand to defend her light-heavyweight boxing baby Tony. Not only did she stop the beating, she helped him win the fight when his opponent, Steve McCarthy, was disqualified for leaving the ring. Mama said knock you out?

MABEL MARBURYMOM OF: Former NBA player Stephon MarburyDATE: April 1, 1999 during a Nets vs. Hawks gameMOMENT: After Marbury's collision with teammate Jayson Williams, his mother ran across the court to aide her son, who seemed to be injured. Marbury was embarrassed, but grudgingly hugged her. While the collision proved to be career-ending for Williams, Marbury left with only a bruised ego. Marbury's physical health might have been okay, but we think this could be a big reason his mental health has been questionable as of late.

ORACENE PRICEMOM OF: Tennis players Venus and Serena WilliamsDATE: March 15, 2001 at the Indian Wells TournamentMOMENT: During the Williams sisters' semifinal match, Venus withdrew due to injury and received boos from the crowd as she left. The booing continued days later toward Serena during the tournament final and trophy presentation. After the tournament their mother, Oracene Price, accused the crowd of racism and of "taking off their hoods" (KKK reference, ya dig?) With slick subliminals like that, she would probably love this list.

ANN IVERSONMOM OF: NBA player Allen IversonDATE: July 12, 2002MOMENT: A.I. caught some heat that summer, after he allegedly threw his wife out of the house naked, then went on a two-day search for her, which ended with him barging into an apartment strapped. As a result A.I. was charged with trespassing and carrying an unlicensed gun. Mama A.I. rushed to his defense saying "My son is not a criminal. The accuser is a liar...a cheat." Looks like A.I. isn't the only Iverson that keeps it gangsta.

GLORIA JAMESMOM OF: NBA player LeBron JamesDATE: May 12, 2008 Celtics vs. Cavaliers playoff gameMOMENT: After watching her son take a hard foul from Paul Pierce, Gloria rushed the court to confront Pierce. Prompting LeBron to tell his mother to "sit yo ass down." Bron-Bron should have been thankful. If he had this much back-up from his own teammates then that first ring wouldn't be so illusive.

LYDIA MOOREMOM OF: NBA player Kenyon MartinDATE: May 9, 2009 Nuggets vs. Mavericks playoff gameMOMENT: Following game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals, the Mavericks billionaire asshole owner, Mark Cuban, got into a confrontation with Kenyon Martin's mother, Lydia Moore, after he called her son "a punk." Cuban later said that incident was retaliation for Moore's trash talking after the previous game. Billionaire or not, disrespecting someone's mom will get your ass kicked, or at least get threats thrown your way to do such.

MILDRED J. HARRISONMOM OF: NFL player James HarrisonDATE: December 10, 2009 at a Steelers vs. Browns viewing partyMOMENT: Right around the time that the Steelers' season was collapsing, Harrison's mom got into it with some Browns fans at a viewing party in Akron, Ohio. The 62-year-old was arrested and charged with assault. Mildred showed more tenacity than the Steelers on the gridiron, whose record dropped to 6-7 that day.

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